Purple Haze 7

Purple Haze

By: Aurora Collins

Disclaimers: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters associated with it. I'm only borrowing the characters to amuse myself and hopefully others. ^__^


Ch. 7 Awareness



Three days had passed since Kagome had woken up and three days since Sesshomaru saw her. He meant to go by and talk with her, but he was still trying to figure out how to talk to her about everything. He knew that the conversation would have to happen eventually. Sesshomaru mainly waited to see if Souta's case would be taken care of. He could trust Shippo to do his part, but with Souta's delicate condition it could take days to thaw him out and make sure that the disease was cured. If not, then… Sesshomaru didn't even want to think about exterminating the young man before he had a chance to live life.
Sesshomaru was at his desk when he received a message from the doctors on level two. SSU beeped in her commanding voice, "Lord Sesshomaru, Dr. Cyrus needs you immediately in his office for a briefing on the Souta case." Sesshomaru immediately got up from his desk and made his way to the doctor.

The dog demon entered the office and Dr. Cyrus was looking at a chart. "Good day Lord Sesshomaru. I'm glad you made it on such short notice," the doctor said with a smile.

"Enough with the pleasantries; what's going on?" Sesshomaru demanded.

Dr. Cyrus chuckled nervously, "Well Shippo and Souta went through the process just fine, but it took a lot out of the donor. He's resting right now. As for Souta, he is still unconscious and he seems very weak. We've just conducted our tests and it looks like the virus is cured."

Sesshomaru breathed out, "That's good to hear, but I have a feeling that there's more."

Dr. Cyrus nodded, "Yes, unfortunately there is. He suffered from minor brain damage from the PHV, and I fear that when he regains consciousness he might suffer from bouts of amnesia. We won't know until he actually wakes and until then we have to be patient."

Sesshomaru growled under his breath, "I don't have the time to keep waiting. It already took three days just to get him out of that pod. I'm sure his sister would like to see him soon."
      
      The doctor shrugged his shoulders, "I know that this might not be any of my business, but I think it might be time that you visited the little lady in question. She's been asking for you and all I can tell her is that you'll see her soon. You have been getting my reports, correct?"
      
      "Yes. She is recovering at a rapid rate and it's highly unusual. I heard that she can nearly walk on her own now," Sesshomaru said brusquely.
      
      Dr. Cyrus smiled, "Yeah that's right. She has been the best patient I've had so far. I think she's recovering so fast because of the DNA you gave her."
      
      "Maybe… I know that I don't feel any different," Sesshomaru blurted out.
      
      The doctor chuckled, "It usually takes a week before you know if you're mated, if that's what you're worried about."
      
      Sesshomaru glared at Dr. Cyrus, "I think that's none of your business. Keep me informed if anything else happens."
      
       Without another word Sesshomaru left the room and straight down the hall.
      
      
      
      
      
      The dog demon sighed as he continued to walk at a fast pace. He should really go see the miko before too much time passed. He didn't know why, but he kept thinking about her and he got worried about her often. Sesshomaru asked for reports on her every day so he knew she was doing great. He recalled specifying to all the doctors that they shouldn't tell her anything until he gave the say so and he knew that she had been asking questions. She was always so curious and that's why she always got into trouble. At least that is what he remembered from the Feudal Era. He saw her door to her room, but damning himself for a coward, he turned away and continued back to his living quarters.
      
      When he got to his office he saw that there was someone sitting in the 'guest' chair. Sesshomaru inwardly groaned when he realized who it was.
      
      "Inuyasha, what are you doing here?" Sesshomaru caught his brother by surprise.
      
      "I've been waitin' on ya forever," Inuyasha shot out.
      
      Sesshomaru's eyebrow twitched, "You usually have to set up an appointment to get my attention."
      
      "Enough of this business shit Sesshomaru. I know that Kagome is up and around, yet I don't have access to her. Why is that?" Inuyasha got right to the point.
      
      Sesshomaru took a seat behind his desk, "Inuyasha, your callousness is why you can't see her."
      
      Inuyasha jumped up from his chair, "Oh really!? You think I would hurt her or something!? You've had plenty of time to talk to her and let her know what's going on!"
      
      "I haven't talked to her yet," Sesshomaru admitted.
      
      "And why not? You had more opportunities then I had. You got to talk to her before I could, you got to be her donor and you saw her when she first woke up. I was supposed to be her donor!" Inuyasha finally exploded. "Stop taking everything away from me!!"  
      
      Sesshomaru finally got out of his chair and slammed his hands on his desk, "Silence half breed! This isn't about you or me!  It's about Kagome and how she feels! I'm trying to figure out how to talk to her not only of the time that passed, but about her brother as well. Did you know that he's in critical condition?"
      
      Inuyasha's ears bent back into his short hair, "What, that whelp Shippo couldn't do it?"
      
      Sesshomaru shook his head, "Shippo did his part, but Souta was so far gone when we put him in cryogenic sleep that there is brain damage. How about thinking before you speak for once?"
      
      Inuyasha looked away, "So when can I see her?"
      
      "Give me some more time Inuyasha, then you can talk to her all you want. But don't forget that legally I'm her caretaker and I make the calls on what happens to her," Sesshomaru explained as calmly as he could.
      
      That caught Inuyasha's attention, "I know the stupid law. With humans becoming an endangered species and all we have to be careful. I also know that there's going to be a meeting with the high board about the humans. What's going on with that?"
      
      "You don't have the clearance to know such information," Sesshomaru grunted out.
      
      "Oh c'mon brother, just tell me something. Haven't I proven myself to you throughout the years? I've been nothing but loyal to our family and working under you. At least treat me like I have a brain," Inuyasha scoffed.
      
      Sesshomaru looked into Inuyasha's eyes and sighed, "You're right Inuyasha."
      
      "Say that again," Inuyasha said with a smirk.
      
       "I don't repeat myself, but I should be able to trust you," Sesshomaru stopped, wondering if he should say anything. He was under oath to keep all negotiations and discussions of the board secret. "I can't betray the trust of the high board because of family ties. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you about the board meetings and what we have planned for the humans. But know that I will do what I can to ensure that the humans will be treated with decency and respect," Sesshomaru explained.
      
      "You've never cared about humans before, and now it seems like you love them. Ever since Rin came into your life…" Inuyasha was cut short when he heard Sesshomaru growl.
      
      "Don't disrespect Rin. She was a good daughter who taught this demon a lot. I don't have special feelings for humans, but I understand them because of her. You need to go Inuyasha. I have work to do."
      
      Inuyasha's eyebrows drew together, "Fine, but I expect you to call me when I can talk to Kagome and it better be soon or I'll just go myself without your consent." With that Inuyasha turned around and walked out the automated doors. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes; at least he couldn't slam the doors anymore.
      
      
      The high board met up that evening and Sesshomaru was at the head of the table. The board was all the great demon lords of the world which included the wolves, the dogs, the foxes and the lightening demons. Some minor groups were present as well. The room had a tense feeling about it because of the subject they would be discussing that evening.
      
      "In tonight's discussion we need to go over the legalities of the rights to humans and the demons rights over humans. It is common knowledge that humans are an endangered species and that breeding them is essential to continue the balance of life," Sesshomaru said, beginning the meeting.
      
      "Demons need the rights over humans until they are substantial enough in number to fend for themselves. Demons should be the ruling house until such time has passed," the wolf lord Takahiro explained. Banging on the table top signified that all agreed.
      
      "I don't think humans will take this dominance with grace. Humans are creatures that like to be in control," Sesshomaru warned.
      
      Takahiro scoffed, "And they have been in control for years. They forced demons into hiding so that we wouldn't be hunted anymore. Now we're the dominant race and it's about time that humans hid from us." More banging on the table commenced, following the statement. Sesshomaru looked to the others and saw that the thoughts seemed unanimous.
      
      "This isn't about who will be in control. This is about saving a race from extinction. We all know that the PHV came from an old nemesis that we all knew of; Naraku. We found this out through heavy investigations and the miasma was the key element within the virus. It is deadly to humans, but with demons it barely affected us," the great dog lord reiterated.
      
      "Why are you defending these humans at all Lord Sesshomaru? I understand that some of us became donors; which would possibly mate us to humans. That isn't an excuse to defend them," Lord Takahiro said.
      
      The fox demon Lord Shoichi interjected, "The humans that are mated to demons would be like demons themselves, so they are excluded in these discussions anyway." The banging continued on the tables.
      
      Lord Shoichi continued, "Humans wouldn't have all rights taken away from them and their rights would be given back in time. They don't know what they're doing anymore and in the hundred years we've been off the planet the Earth has had a chance to regenerate itself from the destruction of mankind. We could go back to the old ways."
      
      "The old ways are called the old ways because they are in the past. It should remain that way. We should look to the future," Sesshomaru snarled.
      
      Lord Takahiro frowned, "And the future means that we should take control of the humans. Everyone here agrees with me, so now we need to discuss on the new laws for the humans." Sesshomaru knew that this meeting was not going as planned and everything would change.
      
      He could tell by the smug look on Lord Takahiro's face that this is how the wolf wanted it. Sesshomaru was the high lord of all of Japan and in his father's day, dog demons were the supreme rulers. Would he really allow this to happen? Things were different now and force was no longer a tactic used and as he said, the old ways had to remain in the past. Then an idea struck him.
      
      The room was loud when Sesshomaru finally washed his icy glare across the room; the one he was famous for in the early days. The room grew silent. "This Sesshomaru wishes to speak now. Lord Takahiro, by the standards of the high board you have no right to make a decision of this caliber. Do not forget who your liege lord was before you thought you had power," Sesshomaru said in his monotone voice.
      
      "Are you saying that you rule all of us?" Lord Takahiro asked.
      
      Sesshomaru shook his head, "Not at all, but you don't have the power you think you do. I was the ruler over all for a long time and I still have authority that has yet to be granted to you. Don't forget that the end result lies within my hands. Rules over the humans are valid at this point and there is no argument there, but I won't make slaves out of humans. Do you deny my authority? Because if you do then I shall issue a challenge over the head chair."
      
      Lord Takahiro bared his fangs, "You said the old ways need to remain the old ways. This is a new era with new rules Lord Sesshomaru."
      
      Sesshomaru cracked his knuckles, "And yet I still demand respect as you do. Don't talk down to me wolf."
      
      Takahiro gulped, "I understand Lord Sesshomaru, but the board is unanimous in this decision. Would you really go against everyone on this board?"
      
      Sesshomaru glanced around and saw that the wolf was right once more. The runt acted like he was scared to get the others on his side. So, brute force really wasn't the standard anymore.
      
      Sesshomaru let out a sigh of resignation, "So it is understood Lord Takahiro. The new rules will be discussed tonight and a decision made before we adjourn this meeting. Someone call the secretary. We're going to need coffee."
      
      Hours passed late into the night, until the next day came when the high board finally ended the meeting. There were several arguments that had to be settled and everyone had to agree in order for the new laws to take effect. In the end Sesshomaru looked like the bad guy because of that damn wolf. Sesshomaru was already in his office looking at the new documents on his screen. He glanced over it:
      
      
      Demon Law
      
      1. All humans must have a demon as their caretaker.
      2. No human can go unescorted without a demon present.
      3. All humans are required to possess an ID to verify who their caretakers are.
      4. Humans without a demon mate must be processed in the breeding program.
      5. Humans are not allowed to possess personal living spaces.
      6. Humans are expected to follow all their caretaker's demands.
      
      Any humans caught defying the laws above will be punished by the discretion of their caretaker. No forms of punishment will be considered abuse as long as the human can still function. Overall, no human shall be killed unless the crime dictates the warranty of the death penalty.   
      
      
      Sesshomaru couldn't help but read over the new laws over and over again. It was like they were slaves and he knew it, but the humans weren't forced to do labor unless it was to help the community. The laws would take effect immediately. It made Sesshomaru sick that he had to confirm these laws and it was all on his shoulders now. He had even more to explain to Kagome when he got the chance to talk to her. Sesshomaru finally decided that it was time to do just that before anything else happened. He may have been tired, but his determination drove him to her living quarters in the hospital wing.
      
      He didn't bother to knock on the door because he heard the nurse inside. When Sesshomaru showed himself the nurse quickly bowed and excused herself.
      
      "What was the nurse doing to you?" Sesshomaru asked the miko.
      
      Kagome stared straight at him, "She was just checking up on me, which is more than what you've been doing."
      
      He deserved that. "I apologize Kagome. I've been busy with work and trying to figure out a way to talk to you," Sesshomaru admitted.
      
      "I sure hope so because no one has talked to me about anything. I'm going crazy only being in one spot all the time with no one to talk to. I've had no visitors and I've been expecting at least Souta to stop by," Kagome said in a grouchy voice.
      
      Sesshomaru winced at the young man's name. "Kagome, you've always been a head strong woman, but I need you to remain calm when I talk to you. A lot has happened since you've been asleep," Sesshomaru began to explain.
      
      Kagome's attention was peaked, "I know and I want to know this. I can take it."
      
      Sesshomaru nodded, "Let me start from when you were put into cryopreservation. Inuyasha wanted to see you, but you were already in the pod and Souta had been working on a cure for years. In fact he is the main reason why we have a cure now."
      
      Kagome smiled, "Inuyasha stopped by? Is he here now?"
      
      Sesshomaru didn't know why, but that comment bothered him. "Focus Kagome. Souta also received the PHV and he had to go into deep sleep too," Sesshomaru paused.
      
      Kagome gasped, "Is he okay?"
      
      "Let me finish Kagome, please," Sesshomaru growled out.
      
      "Sorry," Kagome squeaked.
      
      "You need to understand that almost a hundred years passed since you were put into the pod. A hundred years of new technology and a new way of life. Things are not the same as they used to be and you need to understand this immediately. The Earth is no longer occupied by anyone at the moment and humans are an endangered species. Demons came out of hiding to help the humans and now we're in space until further notice that the PHV is no longer on the planet," Sesshomaru continued to explain as Kagome's eyes grew wider.
      
      Her face began to pale, "I understand."
      
      "The cure to the PHV was the use of demon blood. One demon donor to one human patient, because of the side effects that can take place. Kagome, I was your donor on Souta's last request before he was put to sleep," the dog demon kept a careful eye on Kagome in case of a break down.
      
      When she nodded faintly,  Sesshomaru continued, "The side effects could be a longer life, demonic powers, or the human and demon could be mated. Death is also a possibility, which has happened with some patients that couldn't handle demon blood. Those who weren't cured had to be exterminated because of the possibility of further infection. It took us so long to unfreeze you because we were trying to figure out a way to do so without killing you."
      
      "Wait, you killed humans," Kagome trailed off.
      
      Sesshomaru sighed, "I didn't kill humans, but it had to be done to prevent infection. Those not cured were doomed to die anyway."
      
      "What about my brother? What has happened to him?" Kagome asked, now sounding desperate.
      
      "Souta is fine for now. Believe it or not, Shippo was Souta's donor. Your brother is still in recovery," Sesshomaru left out the last part about her brother having brain damage. He didn't want to overload her with too much information at once.
      
      Kagome gave a trembling smile, "That is wonderful and Shippo is his donor you say? Wait a minute… then that could mean that they could be mated?"
      
      Sesshomaru nodded, "It would seem possible, but hopefully not because Shippo would have a hard time with that union."
      
      Kagome chuckled "I think my brother would too. When can I see him Sesshomaru?"
      
      "He's still in recovery, so it will be a little while," Sesshomaru said hastily.
      
      "Too bad. I want to know what he looks like now. I'm sure he grew up a little when I was asleep," Kagome pouted.
      
"Actually Souta is your age."?

"My age? Now way? So that means I have a little older brother?"

"That just sounds confusing."

"Tell me about it. It was confusing when I was his professor and he my student."

"It seems like you're whole life has been one confusing mess."

"Yeah it has with the time traveling to the past and now the future."

"If you look at it you would nearly be 125 years old."

"Oh wow, I guess that would make me kinda old wouldn't it?"

"You're not that old. I'm nearly 1,300."

"But for a demon that's normal. You look no older than 25."

"Demons do age with grace," Sesshomaru said with his nose in the air.


Kagome laughed at their conversation and it felt good to feel human again. "It's so wonderful talking with you again Sesshomaru. I thought for sure you were mad at me or something," Kagome admitted.

"Why would you think that?" Sesshomaru asked.

Kagome shrugged her shoulders, "Well because of your comment you made before you left. I'm sorry if I did depend on you so much."

"No, don't apologize. I should apologize. I said that because I wanted a way out from talking to you. I wasn't sure how to tell you about everything and I needed some time to work out some things," Sesshomaru explained. He didn't know why he had to explain to her about why he did something, but he felt this increasing need to be more a part of her life. Could this be the first stages of being a mate to her?

Sesshomaru shook his head. Of course not, it was all in his head and he was growing too soft with everyone. Kagome smiled, "

      "Either way, it is good to see you again.  I can't wait to see everyone and see what has changed!  And demons are out of hiding?  It will be so exciting to see demons and humans living along side each other!"  Sesshomaru felt the unfamiliar sensation of his heart sinking.  He got the feeling she would not like the new laws and what they implied.  She had probably had enough surprises for one day, and he convinced himself it was a kindness that he didn't try to explain anything else for now.  

      "You said you were a teacher." Sesshomaru turned the conversation abruptly. "What was your subject?"  

Kagome looked slightly confused at the sudden turn in topic, but her eyes brightened as she told about her field of study, chattering away the time until her words slowed and her eyes grew heavy.  When she yawned, she excused herself.
"Not at all, you're not fully recovered." Sesshomaru responded smoothly. "Rest, we will talk more later."  

Kagome gave up the fight as her eyes slid closed and she drifted off. Sesshomaru sat for a while longer, watching her sleeping face, letting questions and answers drift unsettled through his mind.